Gastrointestinal (GI) Oncology

Diagnostic and Treatment Services

Our team of specialists offers a full range of diagnostic and treatment services designed to provide patients with the most effective care possible. Specialized treatment services include:

Sphincter Preservation Surgery for rectal cancer -- preserves the anus and sphincter muscle and avoids a permanent colostomy bag
Liver-Directed Therapies Program, including:
- Major and complex surgery for metastatic and primary liver tumors
- Laparoscopic surgery for primary and metastatic liver malignancies
- Radiofrequecy Ablation (RFA) -- percutaneous, laparoscopic and open approaches
- Hepatic Arterial Infusion (HAI) chemotherapy for the treatment of liver tumors
- Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT)
Complex surgical procedures for pancreatic cancer (Whipple Procedure), esophageal, gastric and hepatobiliary malignancies
Tumor debulking (cytoreductive) surgery with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for abdominal carcinomatosis (from appendix, colorectal, ovarian and primary peritoneal malignancies; peritoneal mesothelomia and sarcomatosis)
Minimally invasive, laparoscopic procedures for staging, and for resection of colon cancer and adrenal tumors
Endorectal and endoscopic ultrasonography for precise staging and early detection of cancer
Advanced endoscopic and interventional radiology techniques for pancreatic and biliary (gallbladder and bile duct) cancers
Cancer risk assessment and genetic counseling

Other services include:

Consultations for newly diagnosed and recurrent cancers
Diagnostic ultrasound, MRI, CT scan
Nuclear medicine studies
PET Scan
Interventional radiology and intralesional therapy such as ethanol injection for ablation of tumors
Combination therapies to increase response rates and survival
Segmental resection for primary and metastatic liver tumors
Brachytherapy (high and low dose rate) of difficult to reach lesions to achieve higher local dose rates
Laser therapy
Treatment of metastatic disease to maximize quality of life and relieve discomfort

Patients have complete access to the full range of medical support services at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Treatment Follow-up and Communication

Communication with patients, family members and referring physicians is important. Throughout the patient's participation in the program, we keep all parties updated on the course and success of treatment and encourage patients and families to take an active role in the treatment planning process. We value the relationships our patients have with their personal physicians and make every effort to ensure that they are informed.

Research

Research is a vitally important part of our work because it leads us to new ways to diagnose and care for our patients. As part of our commitment to research, staff members lead national cooperative group studies and offer state-of-the-art clinical trials to all patients whose disease matches the appropriate criteria. We are developing innovative approaches to diagnostic evaluation and treatment in addition to being leaders in modern molecular and laboratory approaches to diagnostic treatment.

Make an Appointment

We make every effort to schedule new patient consultlations within 24 to 48 hours. Compassion and caring is the foundation of our interactions with patients and their families. We believe in treating the whole person, not just the disease. Our support services help patients and families cope with the stress that accompanies a major illness.

If you would like to schedule an appointment, or if you are a physician with a patient who would benefit from the Center's expertise and treatment, call us at 1-800-888-8823.

Gastrointestinal Oncology Program Physicians and Staff

This page was last updated on: January 22, 2008.

For More Information

Make an Appointment